Becky Lourey Announces Bid for MN Governor [View All]

[goodhue]

Lourey Announces Bid for Governor

Known as a Consensus-Builder, Kerrick Senator Seeks Smarter Investments for a Competitive Minnesota Economy

Becky Lourey, DFL state senator from Kerrick, announced Tuesday she is a candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2006. The campaign kick off came in Bruno where her family business, Nemadji Research Corp., develops specialized software. Due to forecasted weather conditions, a State Capitol news conference in St. Paul was scheduled later in the day.

“We know Minnesota can do better, and I feel strongly that it is my duty to work with all the citizens of this state to make Minnesota more competitive again.” Lourey said. She offered a vision for a Minnesota where every family has a living wage job in a safe community, with excellent education -- not only in K-12 schools -- but early childhood and affordable post-secondary options, as well as quality, affordable health care for all.

Lourey outlined sharply contrasting public policy views and style differences with incumbent Tim Pawlenty. “As Governor, I will bring Minnesota back to a high rank in education investments, not 46th in the nation,” Lourey said. “Our nationally admired state partnership with local government is dissolving, replaced by crumbling streets and sky-high property taxes. Our Governor’s idea of shared sacrifice is a pledge to cut taxes for his wealthiest friends while the rest of us are paying higher taxes and so-called fees.”

As a small business owner and 15-year lawmaker specializing in health care policy, Lourey said, as Governor, she will seek more efficient health care delivery with the goal of universal coverage. “I know the struggles facing so many employers due to skyrocketing health care costs. For so many small businesses around this state, offering good health care to workers is an impossible task because the costs are rising so fast, and so far the state has failed to respond to the problem,” Lourey said. “Our small businesses are looking for state leadership as the affordability of health care coverage keeps slipping away.”

Lourey stressed that making smart investments ultimately pays off in a competitive, prosperous economy for Minnesota. “We are falling short on our goals for a 21st century competitive economy in Minnesota and our workforce is not fully prepared to compete effectively,” Lourey said. “To compete globally, we must make smarter investments in a failing infrastructure, encourage technological innovation and open up higher education opportunities.”

Touting her energy and enthusiasm, Lourey said she expects to run a strong grassroots campaign based on policy differences. “A sharp contrast between the candidates will help voters recognize that Minnesotans simply will not accept more of the same bankrupt policies coming out of Washington and St. Paul.”

Lourey is a Gold Star mother who in May lost her son, Matthew, while he was piloting a U.S. Army helicopter on mission in Iraq. “We all know that our Minnesota Guard was always intended primarily for in-state activities, but that is no longer the case,” Lourey said. “In my administration, we will work to bring our state Guard home to their families and communities where they belong.”

Use this link http://www.beckylourey.org/images/AnnouncementSpeech.pdf for a copy of her full speech.

http://www.beckylourey.org/